Macworld ran some tests on the just updated MacBook Air. Apple updated the base model for slightly faster CPU and trimmed the price by $100. All other specs remain the same. In Macworld tests the updated base 1.4 GHz i5 CPU is in fact slightly faster than the 1.3 GHz version it replaced. Interestingly, however, the SSD speeds seem to be slower.

Interestingly, the new MacBook Air turned in slower test results than the mid-2013 MacBook Air in our storage performance tests. (The mid-2013 MacBook Airs we have on hand are an 11-inch 1.3GHz model with 256GB of flash storage and a 13-inch 1.3GHz model with 128GB of storage.) Copying 6GB of files and folders took 28 seconds on last year's 11-inch MacBook Air, but took nearly twice as long (54 seconds) on this year's 11-inch model. With solid-state storage, lower capacity drives are often slower performers, and last year's 11-inch had the higher capacity 256GB of flash. However, the new 11-inch model was also slower than last year's 13-inch model with 128GB of flash storage.

SSD speeds can be range based on design, so all SSD is not equal. I wonder if Apple sourced some cheaper components to trim the price tag?